Active and safe travel choices by pupils and families are recognised
A Hull primary school is celebrating after being presented with a national certificate in recognition of its efforts to promote active and sustainable journeys on the morning and afternoon commute. Chiltern Primary School’s initiatives encourage pupils and their families to engage in more walking, wheeling and cycling to and from the school gates.
It achieved a Good Travel Plan award through the Modeshift STARS Education Programme. The national STARS scheme recognises schools and other educational establishments that have shown excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable and active travel.
As part of its submission, the school highlighted several activities and initiatives it has done over the past year, including:
- Encouraging children to bike to school during Cycle to School Week
- Hosting a road safety assembly, created by students in year six
- New scooter parking arranged for children to scoot to school and keep their scooters safe
- Running a “be bright, be seen” campaign last winter, with posters designed by the students
- Pedestrian skills training, funded by Hull City Council and delivered by First Steps Sports Group
- Bikeability training, funded by Hull City Council and delivered by First Steps Sports Group
- Walking for school trips to the MKM Stadium
- Installation of cycle parking for each year group
Hull City Council offers schools and education establishments in the city the chance to join Modeshift STARS Education for free as part of its objective of promoting road safety and active travel choices, with the programme delivered locally through the local authority’s supplier, First Step Sports Group.
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Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, said: “As a council, we’re committed to building a greener and healthier Hull by encouraging active and sustainable travel choices across all our communities. Chiltern Primary School is one of the city’s leading schools when it comes to encouraging students and their families to walk, wheel and cycle and we would like to congratulate them on receiving national recognition for this.
“It feels very appropriate for the school to receive their certificate during October, which is National Walk to School Month and also the month of Cycle to School Week, providing the perfect opportunity for children to try a different way of getting to and from school.” Sally Harling, of the school’s junior leadership team, said: “The school encourages active travel by using a travel tracker in each classroom, each day.
“This tracks how every child travelled and the junior leaders in each class try to encourage those who travel by car to try ‘park and stride’ to make their journeys more active. The children earn badges from this each month, and we also have an active class of the month celebration assembly too, using the information from the tracker and a trophy.
“We are also launching ‘decorate your bike/scooter weeks’. This will add a fun element to the children coming to school on their bikes and scooters and the amount of bike/scooter parks around the school, which we keep increasing, ensures the children can store them safely.”
If your school would like to take part in the Modeshift STARS Education Programme, contact Josh Stokes, Modeshift coordinator, by emailing josh@firststep-sports.co.uk